At the western end of Unter den Linden, the Brandenburg Gate stands between Pariser Platz and the Tiergarten, its sandstone columns crowned by a bronze chariot. Completed in 1791 for Prussian King Frederick William II, the neoclassical gateway draws on the Propylaea of ancient Athens and has become Berlin’s most recognisable monument.
The gate’s history is inseparable from that of the city. Napoleon carried its Quadriga off to Paris before it was returned to Berlin; the monument was later damaged during World War II and stood beside the Berlin Wall throughout the city’s division. Its reopening in December 1989 became an enduring image of a newly connected Berlin. Today, the restored Pariser Platz is framed by embassies and the Hotel Adlon, giving visitors room to take in both the architecture and the history.
The Brandenburg Gate is free to see at any hour. Come early for a quieter view, or after dark when the illuminated columns give the square a different atmosphere. Brandenburger Tor station is steps away, and the Reichstag and Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe are both within walking distance. Demonstrations and events sometimes draw crowds to Pariser Platz, so allow a little flexibility.